A third victim is in critical condition

Published at 9:00 AM CDT on Jul 17, 2009

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Ambulances leave the Stade Velodrome stadium in Marseille following the stage collapse that left one dead.

A second person has died following the collapse of a stage under construction for Madonna's upcoming concerts in Marseilles, France.

A 53-year-old French man died Thursday following the accident, in which a crane collapsed while raising a steel truss. The second fatality was a 32-year-old British citizen, but no other details were known, according to CNN.

A third person was in critical condition, said Alexandre Lanzalavi, a spokesman for Marseille Hospital. Two other people were in hospital and required surgery, and seven others were treated and released, Lanzalavi said.

Madonna, who was in Italy when the accident occurred, said Thursday that she was "devastated" to hear about the death.

"My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news," Madonna said in a statement issued by her representative, Liz Rosenberg.

At least one Madonna show had been canceled, Rosenberg told CNN.

Madonna was to play the first of five concerts for her "Sticky and Sweet" tour at the 60,000-seat Stade Velodrome on Sunday.